What energy efficiency ratings mean and why they’re important

01/10/2017

The cost to heat and cool your home makes up more than half of your utility bills. That’s why it’s crucial to look for a system that provides excellent comfort in your Bountiful home while still being energy efficient. Greater energy efficiency means your system is working well while using less energy. Whether you are thinking about a replacement air conditioner or furnace or looking to upgrade your present equipment to be more energy efficient, there are some ratings to know that will help you during the process. So what exactly do those energy efficiency ratings indicate?

SEER (used to measure cooling efficiency)
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The SEER rating reflects the competence of your unit at different temperatures, meaning, seasonally in Bountiful. A larger SEER rating signifies a larger energy efficiency, which will translate into less expensive utility bills. The Department of Energy expects a minimum 13 SEER-rating for cooler states in the north and a 14 SEER-rating minimum for humid, southern states. If your home has an older unit with a lower SEER-rating, you could see radical energy savings after an modern system.

AFUE or HSPF (used to measure heating efficiency: gas or electric)
AFUE stands for Annualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency ratio and it measures the percentage of heat created for every dollar of fuel used. You can think of it as the MPG on your car. The greater the AFUE-rating, the smaller your energy costs. If your furnace has a AFUE rating of 80, that means that 80% of the heat generated is consumed to heat the home, while 20% of the heat is lost through venting.

HSPF stands for the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor and operates to measure the heating efficiency of heat pumps. It is the SEER rating for the colder months as it only measures your unit’s heating effectiveness. Like the others, the greater the number, the greater energy efficient the heat pump.

Craig's Appliance Heating & Cooling in Bountiful presents equipment with the highest energy efficiency ratings. If you are uncertain what the energy ratings are of the system in your home we would be more than willing to help you better understand to keep your home comfortable, while saving money. Give us a call at 801-295-3357 or schedule an appointment with us online.

About Craig's Appliance Heating & Cooling

Lennox was started to provide some of the most dependable, reliable HVAC systems in the field while providing great service and quality for customers. Craig's Appliance Heating & Cooling in Bountiful is no different, with our constant commitment to your comfort and commitment to the community. We strive to be the best at what we do so you can always be comfortable, and know you can always count on us. Give us a ring at 801-295-3357 or schedule an appointment with us so we can help you achieve complete home comfort.